Brick mason{3 s inside corner line-supporting device

ABSTRACT

A brick mason&#39;&#39;s implement for supporting a horizontal guide line in spaced relation to an inside corner of a building, such implement being in the form of a generally V-shaped angle bracket adapted to fit snuggly in a selected, vertically adjusted position within an inside corner and having a line-engaging hook member adjustable horizontally on the bracket to vary the spacing of the guide line from the inside corner, and manually operated, relatively extensible and retractable prongs for releasably securing the bracket in its selected position within the corner.

United States Patent Garrison et al. Sept. 9, 1975 BRICK MASONS INSIDE CORNER 2,503,098 4/1950 Crocker 33/35 LINESUPPORTING DEVICE 2,672,69l 3/l954 Scars et al. 33/85 I t W [76] nven Ors g zg gg i g lfj zgzgli h Primary ExaminerR|chard E. Aegerter A 554 S6 h Ave Assistanl Examiner--Charles E. Phillips Columbus Ohio 43y2O5 Attorney, Agent, or Firm--William S. Rambo [22] Filed: Oct. 23, 1974 [57] ABSTRACT [2]] App! 517368 A brick masons implement for supporting a horizon- Related US. A li ation D t ta] guide line in spaced relation to an inside corner of [63] continuafiomwpan of Scr N0 324x104 Jan a building, such implement being in the form ofa gen- 1973 abandoned erally V-shaped angle bracket adapted to fit snuggly in a selected. vertically adjusted position within an inside 52 0.5. CI. .v 33/85 Corner and having a line-flflgagiflg hook member 51 Int. 1 u 01 15 0 justable horizontally on the bracket to vary the spac- 5 Field f Search M 33 5 86 ing of the guide line from the inside corner, and manually operated, relatively extensible and retractable [56] References Cited prongs for releasably securing the bracket in its se- UNITED STATES PATENTS lected position within the corner,

458,464 8/l89l Kelley 33/85 3 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures I2 40 65 IO PATENTED SEP 9 I975 SHEET 1 1F 2 BRICK MASON'S INSIDE CORNER LINE-SUPPORTING DEVICE REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application is a continuation in part of our prior U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 324,404 filed Jan. 17, 1973 entitled Brick Mason Inside Corner Line Block which is abandoned in favor of this application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:

This invention relates generally to brick-laying tools or implements, and more particularly to a device for supporting a horizontal guide line or string in properly spaced relation to an inside corner of a building, whereby to enable a brick mason to accurately lay horizontal rows or courses of bricks in a truly vertical plane with uniform mortar joints between each horizontal row of bricks.

Heretofore, it has been common practice to employ a vertical floor-supported or ground-embedded pole, stake, or dowel as a means for supporting a horizontal guide line or string in spaced relation to an inside corner. However, the proper placement and support of a vertical line pole in the desired accurately spaced relation to an inside corner represents a tedious and timeconsuming task, and if sloppily undertaken, will result in irregular and crooked brick walls. Also, such prior art line poles or stakes are cumbersome and obstruct the working area in the neighborhood of the inside corner.

SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION:

The principal object of this invention is to facilitate the accurate placement and support of a horizontal guide line or string in outwardly spaced relation to a pair of convergent, inside corner-forming walls, and to permit easy adjustment of such guide line to different, successive vertical levels during the build-up of a brick wall, without setting the usual inside corner line pole and suffering its attendant difficulties.

This and other objects and advantages are accomplished through the provision of a structually simple, yet mechanically efficient device which comprises a generally V-shaped angle bracket or frame adapted to snuggly fit within an inside corner defined by a pair of convergent building walls, and to be releasably locked in a selected vertical position within such comer by means of a plurality of relatively extensible and retractable wall-penetrating prongs or pintles, and which also includes a line-engaging hook member carried by the bracket and adjustable horizontally along a line bisecting the angle between the side legs of the bracket.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an inside corner area of a building showing our improved linesupporting device in use;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged top plan view of the linesupporting device with a portion of the handlesupporting strap broken away to show underlying details;

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line 44 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary schematic sectional view taken approximately along the line 5-5 of FIG. 3 and showing particularly the pattern of movement of the lateral, wall-penetrating prongs or pins.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT:

With reference to the drawings, it will be seen that the present guide line-supporting device comprises a generally truncated V-shaped bracket or frame which includes a pair of perpendicularly related side legs 11 and 12. The side legs I] and 12 are preferably formed from angle irons and are connected toward their relatively converging ends by a cross brace or bridge 13 having downturned end portions riveted to the side legs, as at 14. The bracket also includes a floor plate or cross strap 15 which is riveted, as at 16, to the inturned angle webs 11a and 12a of the side legs 11 and 12.

The side leg 12 is slightly longer than the opposite leg 1 1 of the frame and includes an extended outer end tab 12b. Riveted or otherwise rigidly secured to the tab 12b is a downwardly projecting plumb bar or strap 17 which is formed. toward its lower end with a notched index pointer 18.

Fastened to the floorplate 15 of the frame, as by the bolts 19, are the outurned legs 20 of an inverted U shaped bracket or bridge strap 21. The strap 21 serves as a support for a vertically stepped, tubular bushing 22 which is welded to the strap, as at 23 (see FIG. 3). .Iournalled in the bushing 22 is a cylindrical post or stub shaft 24 which is formed at its upper end with a reduced width, square, handle-receiving extension or head 25. Non-rotatively connected with the square head 25 of the shaft 24 is the flattened end portion 26 of a pivot handle 27. The end portion 26 of the handle is formed with a square opening 28 which provides a snug, nonrotative connection with the head 25 of the shaft 24. A cross pin 29 extending through the upper end of the head 25 secures the handle 27 against accidental removal from the head 25 of the shaft 24. If desired, one or more spacer washers 30 may be placed on the head 25 of the shaft 24 beneath the flatted end portion 26 of the handle 27.

The shaft 24 extends downwardly through the bore of the bushing 22 and through the axial opening of a spacer washer 31. The lower end of the shaft 24 terminates in a relatively diametrically enlarged head 32 which is welded, as at 33, to a rectangular crank plate of arm 34. The crank arm 34 extends radially outwardly on opposite sides of the shaft 24 and is formed toward each opposite end thereof with a circular bearing opening 35. The shaft 24 is supported in elevated position in the bushing 22 by means of a locking pin 36 which extends diametrically through the shaft 24 and bears on a washer 37 positioned between the upper end of the bushing 22 and the locking pin 36.

Pivotally carried in the bearing openings of the crank arm 34 is the downturned inner end portions 38 of a pair of lateral wall-penetrating spikes, pintles, or tines 39 and 40. The outer end portions of the lateral wall-penetrating tines 39 and 40 extend slidably through bearing openings 41 and 42 formed, respectively, in the opposite vertical legs of the strap 21 and in the opposite side legs 1 l and 12 of the frame 10. The lateral tines 39 and 40 are formed with sharp pointed end extremities and are urged to extend laterally outwardly beyond the side legs 11 and 12 of the frame by a contractile spring 43 which is connected between the downturned inner end 38 of the tine 39 and the right hand vertical leg of the strap 21 (see FIG. 3).

A third wall-penetrating spike or pin 44 is slidably carried in a tubular sleeve 45 having a flat mounting flange 46 which is securely fastened to the upper surface of the bridge 13, as by means of screws or bolts 47. The third spike or pin 44 is formed with a headed inner end portion 48 and a sharp pointed outer end portion 49.

Positioned beneath the central portion of the cross strap and extending outwardly beyond the wider end of the frame 10, in bisecting relation to the angle formed by the side legs 11 and 12, is an L-shaped, lineengaging strap or hook member 50. The hook member 50 includes a horizontal leg part 51 which is adjustably clamped to the cross strap 15, and a downturned, pointed, vertical pole part 52. As shown particularly in FIGS. 3 and 4, the hook member 50 is arranged to be clamped between the central under portion of the cross strap 15 and a relatively shallow U-shaped clamp strap 53 by tightening the nuts 54 carried on a pair of stove bolts 55 which extend through openings formed in the cross strap 15. By loosening the nuts 54, the hook member may be adjusted (slid) inwardly or outwardly of the frame 10, so as to vary the equidistant spacing of the downturned pole part 52 of the hook member 50 from each of the side legs 11 and 12 of the frame 10. The back side of the downturned pole part 52 of the hook member 50 is formed with a line guide indentation or notch 56 (see FIG, 4) which is preferably disposed at the same level as the pointer 18 of the plumb bar 17 when the frame 10 is in a horizontal position.

FIG. 1 illustrates the general operation of the present guide line-supporting device in supporting a flexible guide line or string 57 in predetermined outwardly spaced relation to an inside corner 58 defined by a pair of relatively converging building walls 59 and 60. In FIG. 1, the device is shown in a position to support the guide line or string 57 for the laying of a first, horizontal row or course of bricks 61 on a foundation 62 adjacent the building walls 59 and 60. [n this position, the device has been fixed to the walls 59 and 60, so as to support the guide string 57 at a height above the upper surface of the foundation 62 equal to the thickness of the bricks 6] plus the thickness of a mortar joint 63 applied between the foundation 62 and the lower surface of the bricks 61. The guide string 57 is also spaced equidistantly outwardly from each of the walls 59 and 60 a distance equal to the width of the bricks 61. Thus, the string 57 is in a position to coincide exactly with the upper and outer corner edge of the bricks 61 when laid.

Prior to the laying of any bricks, or to the application of the present line supporting device, a vertical plumb line 64 is drawn on the wall 60 and is marked off with horizontal graduations 65 which are spaced (starting from the upper surface of the foundation 62) apart a distance equal to the thickness of one brick plus the thickness of one mortar joint. This premarking of the wall 60 with the graduated plumb line 64 greatly facilitates and insures proper location and positioning of the line-supporting device for each horizontal course of bricks.

To place the device in condition for use, the hook member 50 is adjusted in the frame 10, so that the line guide notch 56 is spaced outwardly from the outer surfaces of each of the legs 11 and 12 of the frame 10 a distance exactly equal to the bricks 61 to be laid. The

hook member is then locked in its adjusted position by tightening the clamp nuts 54. The device is then placed in the corner 58 with pointer or mark 18 of the plumb bar 17 aligned with the first horizontal graduation 65 on the plumb line 64 above the foundation 62. Care should be taken to assure that the edges of the side legs 11 and 12 are parallel to the horizontal graduations 65, to thus insure that the device will occupy a truly horizontal position in the corner and will not be tilted either up or down. When the device is being located in the corner 58, the lateral wall-penetrating tines or pins 39 and 40 are held in their inwardly retracted positions (see broken line positions illustrated in FIG. 5) by pivoting the handle 27 in a clockwise direction as viewed from above. The third wall-penetrating pin or spike 44 is also retracted in its supporting sleeve 45 to permit the outer surfaces of each of the side legs 11 and 12 of the frame 10 to be brought into flush contact with each of the converging walls 59 and 60. When the device has thus been properly positioned, the handle 27 is forcibly pivoted in a counter clockwise direction to extend each of the lateral pins 39 and 40 outwardly beyond the side legs 11 and 12 of the frame and into the adjacent walls 59 and 60. This is normally sufficient to hold the device in its applied position within the comer 58, but if additional stability is required the third wall-penetrating spike 44 may be driven into the wall 59 adjacent the truncated nose of the frame 10.

Thus positioned, the device is in condition to receive and support the intermediate portion of the guide line or string 57 whose opposite ends are secured under slight tension to the usual line-anchoring blocks, not shown, which are located at the ends of the course of bricks. After the first course of bricks 61 has been laid, the device is then shifted upwardly to the next highest course-laying level, indicated by the graduations 65 of the plumb line 64, by first retracting the spikes or pins 39, 40 and 44 and then reinserting them into the walls 59 and 60. This upward relocation of the device is repeated until the wall of bricks reaches its last course.

In view of the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention provides a highly useful, mechanically efficient tool or appliance which enables a brick mason to quickly, easily and exactly set and support an inside corner guide line or string at successive course levels without the use of ground-supported poles or stakes or other paraphernalia which tends to obstruct the work ing area adjacent an inside corner.

While a single preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described in detail, it will be understood that modifications in design and details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the following claims.

We claim:

1. A device for supporting a brick mason s guide line comprising:

a. a generally V-shaped frame having angularly re lated side legs and arranged to fit horizontally within an inside corner defined by a pair of angularly converging building walls;

b. a plurality of wall-penetrating pins carried on said frame for movement between relatively outwardly extended and inwardly retracted positions with respect to the side legs of said frame;

c. manually operable means mounted on said frame and connected with said pins for moving the same 6 between said outwardly extended and inwardly reguide line in predetermined position with respect tracted positions, said pins when extended being to said inside corner. effective to engage said walls and to hold said 2. A device according to claim 1, wherein said manuframe in a selected position between said building ally operable means includes a pivotal handle. walls; and 5 3. A device according to claim 1, wherein said lined. a line-holding member carried by said frame and holding member is secured to said frame by releasable adjustable thereon along a line bisecting the angle clamp means.

between the side legs of said frame for holding a 

1. A device for supporting a brick mason''s guide line comprising: a. a generally V-shaped frame having angularly related side legs and arranged to fit horizontally within an inside corner defined by a pair of angularly converging building walls; b. a plurality of wall-penetrating pins carried on said frame for movement between relatively outwardly extended and inwardly retracted positions with respect to the side legs of said frame; c. manually operable means mounted on said frame and connected with said pins for moving the same between said outwardly extended and inwardly retracted positions, said pins when extended being effective to engage said walls and to hold said frame in a selected position between said building walls; and d. a line-holding member carried by said frame and adjustable thereon along a line bisecting the angle between the side legs of said frame for holding a guide line in predetermined position with respect to said inside corner.
 2. A device according to claim 1, wherein said manually operable means includes a pivotal handle.
 3. A device according to claim 1, wherein said line-holding member is secured to said frame by releasable clamp means. 